BME HAULS 9/11 MEMORIAL FIRE TRUCK Featured

Bennett Motor Express recently made a very special delivery to honor 343 firefighters who died in the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Mike Korsch, Georgia Chapter Director National Chair of The Terry Farrell Firefighter’s Fund, called on BME to haul a commemorative fire engine from Bethpage, NY to its new home in Acworth, GA.

The Rosyln Rescue Fire Company fire engine includes a piece of history, as well as special memories for many of the Fund’s volunteers, including National Chair Brian Farrell and Mike Korsch. The mobile memorial truck includes a piece of steel from the World Trade Center towers and the names of several fallen 9/11 first responders.

Brian Farrell, along with other family members, started the National Fund in 2002 in honor of his brother Terry, a FDNY member who died on Sept. 11, 2011. Based in Wantagh, NY, the National Chapter has given more than $600,000 in scholarships and funds to help firefighters nationwide.

According to Korsch, the donated fire engine will be used for fundraisers, parades, and if needed, as funeral transport for fallen firefighters in Georgia. However, the engine’s arrival means much more than another fundraising opportunity for many of the local chapter’s volunteers.

Korsch is a retired NYPD detective and 9/11 first responder who arrived as the second Twin Tower fell. In 2002, he was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth as a direct result of inhaling dust from the tower collapse. Today, he continues to battle the devastating aftermath of 9/11, but Korsch hopes the engine will bring renewed encouragement and financial support for Georgia’s firefighter community.

On Sept. 11, 2011, the Georgia Chapter held its first annual Terry Farrell Firefighter’s Fund Memorial Stair Climb fundraiser. During the event, 343 firefighters climbed 110 stories to honor the 343 firefighters that died on Sept. 11, 2011. Since 2011, the Georgia chapter has given $3000 to help support metro Atlanta firefighters battling cancer.

This isn’t the first time Bennett Motor Express has been called on in support of 9/11. In 2001, the Department of Homeland Security asked BME to provide a fleet of refrigerated trailers to contain the remains of victims recovered from the World Trade Center and the American Airline Flight 587, which happened two months later.